Awakened to Islam in Morocco
Our first blog post, written by Chris Hamilton, was published in May of 2012 and it still rings true all these years later! Read how Chris finally became acquainted with a not-so-distant culture and its religious customs in this heart-felt tale about Morocco. Taking a...
Celebrating the Amazigh New Year in Morocco: Traditions, Music, Stories, Feasts, and more!
As the calendar turns to the Amazigh New Year, known as Yennayer, Morocco comes alive with a celebration of its ancient roots and vibrant traditions. This year (2025) the Amazigh calendar marks the year 2975. This annual event, held between January 12-14, marks the...
Journey Beyond Travel’s Morocco Gift Guide
The souks of Morocco are chock full of the perfect gifts for your special someone. Whether you’re looking for something small for a stocking stuffer or something a bit larger to toss into Santa’s sleigh, the likelihood of you making a big holiday splash with unique,...
Your Phone in Morocco: Keep Connected with a Local SIM Card
Now, more than ever, it’s easy to stay connected with your loved ones back home while you’re traveling to Morocco. Sporting a very robust network, with 5g and 4g cellular capability in major cities as well as much of the countryside, you should have no...
Gardens of Morocco: Taking a Stroll through Tangier’s Donabo Gardens
While many a tourist and traveler to Tangier spend their time immersed in the medina and navigating the kasbah – if fresh air and flora is your thing, there are some wonderful outdoor spaces to explore. One of these pockets of nature is Donabo Botanical Gardens,...
Erg Chigaga: Into The Wild Sahara
I was too ambitious with the day. With Lahsen, my friend and driver, I had hiked to the top of Mount Zagore and back down to Zagora. Afterward I fingered the deep green pottery of Tamegroute and lingered in the mudwalled ksar of Amezrou, breathing in history. It was...
What to Wear in Morocco: The Real Scoop from a Moroccan Woman
“What should I wear?” – I often get this question from travelers coming to Morocco, particularly women, wondering what to wear in Morocco. While the country does not have a dress code, it is always a good thing to understand the culture before packing your suitcase. ...
Your Guide to the Morocco High Speed Train: The Al-Boraq
A train ride through Morocco has been a rustically romantic affair on the bucket list of most travelers since the days of the famed Marrakesh Express chugged south from Tangier in the 60s, carry with it the hopes, dreams, and music of the hippy era. The Marrakesh...
Hammams in Morocco: A Moroccan Woman Dishes the Inside Spa Scoop
Public baths are an integral part of life in Morocco. On any given day you might see a group of women gathering outside the neighborhood hammam, a small plastic stool and bucket in hand. The hammams in Morocco come with their own set of unspoken rules, which for...
Birdwatching Paradise in Morocco
Setting on the North African coast, Morocco is on the super high fly way of birds traveling by way from Africa to Europe and back again. One can see everything from sea-dwelling birds to Desert Sparrows. However, the best times for avian observation are the spring and...
Visiting Morocco During Ramadan
Ramadan is the month-long Islamic holiday celebrated each year. The Islamic calendar follows a lunar pattern so every year Ramadan moves 10 days forward on the Gregorian calendar each year. This year, Ramadan falls largely through the month of March and will end in...
The Influence of Morocco on Dune by Frank Herbert: A Journey Through Culture, Geography, and Imagination
Frank Herbert’s science fiction masterpiece, Dune, first published in 1965, is a monumental work in the genre, captivating readers over the years with its intricate plot, richly imagined universe, and profound themes. At least, it captured my imagination when I...Traveling During Eid al-Adha (Eid el-Kbir) in Morocco
By far, Eid al-Adha is the most important holiday for Muslims around the world. It occurs two lunar months after the end of Ramadan. Confusingly, Eid al-Adha called by many different names. Eid el-Kbir (often spelled “Eid el-Kbeer, “Aid al-Kébir” and other variations)...
6 Beautiful Moroccan Coastal Towns to Visit
Morocco isn’t just winding souks and desert dunes: it’s also 1,200 miles of coastline running along the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. Along the coast, charming harbors, busy fishing ports and picturesque beach towns abound – they’re just as...
The Ultimate Parent’s Guide to Morocco Travel
Morocco is probably one of the most kid-friendly countries I have ever travelled. As soon as I started taking trains, buses, taxis and visiting the souks with my kid, an entirely different country opened up before my eyes. I hate to stereotype, but it really does seem...
Essaouira: UNESCO World Heritage Series
Essaouira, formerly known as Mogador, boasts a history as vibrant as its striking blue and white architecture. This coastal jewel has witnessed civilizations come and go, each leaving their mark on its character. With a wide array of cultures and experiences in a very...
Movie Locations in Morocco: A Tour
Morocco is a land of mountains, deserts, medieval cities, roman ruins and more than a few familiar movie locations. Thinking about Morocco and film undoubtedly conjures up images of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman in the 1942 American classic, Casablanca....
El Jadida: UNESCO World Heritage Series
As I stepped foot on the sun-kissed shores of El Jadida, a Moroccan coastal city steeped in history, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of wonder. This hidden gem, with its blend of Portuguese and Moroccan influences, promised to unveil a world of mesmerizing...
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Morocco
Morocco is home to an impressive 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites! These sites are dotted throughout the country, from expected places like Marrakesh and Fez, to Tetouan, a relatively untouristed northern city, and on to the desert lands of the Sahara. If you are a lover...
Fez: UNESCO World Heritage Series
Fez, one of Morocco’s most enchanting cities, is a treasure trove of cultural heritage. Steeped in history and boasting a rich tapestry of architectural wonders, Fez has been recognized by UNESCO for its exceptional universal value as early as 1981. For amateurs...
Rabat: UNESCO World Heritage Series
Rabat is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites that showcase the city’s rich cultural and historical heritage. These landmarks are an absolute must for anyone who wishes to visit the city and explore what makes it so special. For amateurs of history,...
Street Food in Morocco: What You Can Eat on the Street Around the Country
Morocco is a country that offers visitors an authentic culinary experience, where they can taste the richness of the country’s history and culture. A great way to explore the local food scene is to hit the streets and indulge in the vast array of street food....
Destination Morocco: A Journey for Every Type of Traveler
For many travelers the question isn’t if you’ll be traveling or when you’ll be traveling. It’s a matter of where you’ll be traveling. Where do you want to go on your dream vacation? Where should you spend your beach getaway to relax after a hectic month at the...
The Strange History of Ion Perdicaris and the Perdicaris Park in Tangier
Tangier is a history full of odd ducks and strange corners of history. You probably know that for the first half of the 20th century, it was a popular haunt for oil barons and shipping magnates, bankers and spies, thieves and artists. Did you know that the rock group...
5 Things You Should Know About The Prickly Pear
The prickly pear is a fruit Moroccans love to eat and love to hate! It’s appropriately named for its spiky outer shell, and the fact that it is the fruit of the cacti plant. If you look out the window during your Moroccan road trip, you will notice an impressive...
Perfectly, Imperfect: Our Family’s First Christmas in Morocco
My girls emphatically insist on seeing gaudy, kilowatt-sucking, elaborate red-and-white, Rudolph, Frosty and Santa-inspired holiday decorations at the same time as everyone else in the United States – the day after Halloween. It doesn’t matter that they have...
5 Reasons Santa Should Use Camels Instead of Reindeer
Thinking about spending Christmas in Morocco? Did you know that the team at Journey Beyond Travel JUST caught Santa Claus riding camels in Morocco’s Sahara Desert!!! We thought this was a sight worth sharing! Here’s our top reasons why Santa Claus may...
Christmas in Morocco: 3 Hidden Destinations
If you’re looking to get away when the temperature plummets and the snow starts falling from above, why not consider spending Christmas in Morocco? While many travelers from the Northern Hemisphere initially consider a European destination for their winter holidays, a...
Who Are The Morocco Berbers?
Traveling in Morocco, you are bound to trip across one of the most defining characteristics of the country – the Berbers. As the original inhabitants of Morocco, they are rightly proud of the contributions they have made in shaping the country. With a unique...Morocco Travel Guides
Favorite Morocco Guidebooks
Written and photographed by JBT Director, Lucas Peters, the 3rd edition of Moon Morocco is a detailed, full-colored country guidebook. Guaranteed to inspire travel lust, this edition is a wonderful companion for you while you’re in the planning stages or already in-country.
The 1st edition of Marrakesh & Beyond is a handy pocket-sized traveler. A complimentary guidebook to Moon Morocco, this guide dives deeper into the mysterious souks of the famed “Red City.” With a detailed shopping guide, handy fold-out map, and itineraries for day-tripping from Marrakesh, Lucas brings us another great resource for Morocco!